Category: Educational Activities

Educational Activities: Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention by Pip Jones

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Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention
Author: Pip Jones
Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Peachtree Publishing
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Izzy and Fixer are back for more machine mayhem …

While their fellow contestants at the Invention Convention are intent on making shiny new things using old power, can Izzy and Fixer build a recycling machine fuelled by nature… AND win the coveted Genius Guild badge along the way?

A joyful celebration of the magic of make-​do-​and-​mend from the creators of the much-​loved Izzy Gizm0.”

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And here’s a bonus Q&A with both Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie @ Books for Keeps.

Educational Activities inspired by Pip Jones’ Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you already know about inventing and inventions?
    • What expression does Izzy seem to have?
    • Who are the characters on the back cover? What are they up to?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What’s Izzy’s main problem/​challenge in this story?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • What other story does Izzy Gizmo and the Invention Convention remind you of?
    • Which of the inventions sound most fun? Bake-​O-​Copter? Automa-​Stretchy? Opti-Logger?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about? What else might Izzy be up to?
  • Writing–Which of the other Genius Guild members do you imagine has the most interesting story of their own? Will Digg? Maximillian Spout? Abi von Lavish? Gillian Din? Write that story as you imagine it. Feel free to draw pictures to go with the story. Consider sharing your finished piece with an adult or friend and ask them what they enjoy best about your work.
  • Activities–With an adult’s help, try some of the following invention-​themed activities, all inspired by one of the greatest inventors of all time–Leonardo Da Vinci: 
  • Further Reading–Which of these other picture books about kid inventors have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: Space Mice by Lori Haskins Houran

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Space Mice
Author: Lori Haskins Houran
Illustrator: Priscilla Alpaugh
Albert Whitman & Co.
1 March 2020
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “When two hungry mice spot a giant yellow ball of cheese in the night sky, they get right to work building a rocket ship so they can take a big bite out of that glowing full moon. After sailing through starry skies, the mice arrive at the feast of their dreams–and soon the moon isn’t so full anymore! Simple, rhythmic text makes this a great read-​aloud for future astronauts.”

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Educational Activities inspired by Lori Haskins Houran’s Space Mice:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What do you already know about astronauts?
    • Why might mice want to travel into space?
    • What emotion do the mice on the cover seem to be feeling?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Is this book fiction or nonfiction? How do you know?
    • What is problem do the mice face in the story?
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • What is the main message of this book?
    • What other story does this one remind you of?
    • Which of the sound effects did you most like? Grumble grumble, phew phew, or something else?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about? Where else might those hungry mice go?
  • Writing–Clearly these mice are interested in science and technology. Using your own imagination, write about another situation where they use science and/​or technology to solve a different problem than being hungry. Feel free to draw pictures to go with the story. Consider sharing your finished piece with an adult or friend and ask them what they enjoy best about your work.
  • Interview–Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is interviewing them. If you interviewed the space mice with the following questions, how might they respond? Consider inviting an adult or friend to either ask questions (or answer them) as they imagine the mice might. Feel free to add more questions of your own! 
    • What is your favorite cheese?
    • What do you like most about the moon?
    • What was the biggest challenge in building the rocket ship?
    • What’s your favorite sport?
    • What is your earliest memory?
    • What secret do you have?
    • What is your dream job?
    • Where would you most like to live?
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following space-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Space Mice is–as one might reasonably expect–about two mice who build a rocket and travel into space. Which of these other picture books about space travel have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

Educational Activities: Naughty Ninja Takes a Bath by Todd Tarpley

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Naughty Ninja Takes a Bath
Author: Todd Tarpley
Illustrator: Vin Vogel
Two Lions
1 December 2019
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “After crossing raging rivers and tromping through the jungle, Naughty Ninja returns to his secret ninja training camp for lunch. But when he gets inside, his parents tell him he needs a bath. Before Naughty Ninja gets in the tub, he notices poisonous flies and an angry alligator circling his dad, who doesn’t even seem to know he’s in trouble. Good thing Naughty Ninja is around to save the day!

Amid sudsy fun, a boy’s imaginary ninja life and his everyday world collide in the ultimate bath time adventure.”

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Educational Activities inspired by Todd Tarpley’s Naughty Ninja Takes a Bath:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think of when you think about ninjas?
    • What type of naughtiness do you expect here?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What type of creatures are lurking in the water?
    • What is the Naughty Ninja up to on the back cover?
    • If you could ask the author any one question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which events in the story seemed most important?
    • How did you react when Ninja Dad fell into the tub?
    • What would you have done if you were the ninja and you realized there were “wild, poisonous flies”?
    • Do you think the Naughty Ninja means to cause trouble?
  • Writing–Naughty Ninjas get into trouble, even when they don’t mean to. What other adventures might this Naughty Ninja get into? Dream up one of them, and write that story yourself. Will Ninja Dad end up in the tub water again? Will Naughty Ninja save the day? Consider using crayons to draw pictures to go with your story.
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following ninja-​themed crafts: 
    • LEGO Ninjas–You have to have LEGOs of your own here, but if you have some, these are easy to make with this guide.
    • Ninja Stress Ball–There are lots of ways to make these and even more ways to fill them. Fun!
    • Origami Ninja Stars–Lots of folding here, but these are both pretty and cool.
    • Paper Bag Ninja Craft–This one requires a bit more work and help than others, but the result is worth it.
    • Toilet Roll Ninjas–All you need are toilet roll paper cores, paint, straws, and a black marker.
  • Further Reading–Who doesn’t love ninjas, right? How many other books about ninjas have you read? Here are a few of OPB’s favorites. (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

Educational Activities: This Book Is Gray by Lindsay Ward

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This Book Is Gray
Author: Lindsay Ward
Illustrator: Lindsay Ward
Two Lions
1 December 2019
40 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Gray just wants to be included. But the other colors are always leaving him out. So he decides to create his own project: an all-​gray book. Once upon a time, there lived a wolf, a kitten, and a hippo…

Gray just knows it’s going to be perfect. But as he adds page after page, the Primary and Secondary colors show up…and they aren’t quite so complimentary.

A book within a book, this colorful tale explores the ideas of fitting in, appreciating others, and looking at things from another perspective and also uses personality and wit to introduce basic color concepts.”

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Educational Activities inspired by Lindsay Ward’s This Book Is Gray:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think this book will be about?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What does the word “gray” make you think of?
    • What type of creature is on the front cover?
    • Why do the creatures on the back cover appear to be so happy?
    • If you could ask the author any question before you read the book, what would it be?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • How did you react when the colors arrived and wanted to take over Gray’s story?
    • Which of the verbal puns (like “sometimes we can be a little off-​color” etc.) did you most enjoy?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about?
  • Writing–Gray is an underdog character who rarely–if ever–gets to tell his own story his own way. What characters from other books would like the same chance to tell their stories? Select one and write that story. If you feel like drawing pictures to go with the story you’re writing, get some crayons or colored pencils and draw away! What type of story will your character tell? What challenges will they face, and how will they overcome them? Consider sharing the finished story with a friend or adult.
  • Interview–Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is interviewing them. If you interviewed Gray with the following questions, how might Gray respond? Consider inviting an adult or friend to either ask questions (or answer them) as they imagine Gray might. Feel free to add more questions of your own! 
    • What are your hobbies?
    • What makes you laugh?
    • What scares you?
    • What is your earliest memory?
    • What secret do you have?
    • What is your dream job?
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following color-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–This Book Is Gray is about a number of things, including the world of colors. Which of these other books about colors have you read? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

Educational Activities: Santa’s Story by Will Hillenbrand

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Santa’s Story
Author: Will Hillenbrand
Illustrator: Will Hillenbrand
Two Lions
10 September 2019
32 pages

Book description from Goodreads: “Santa is ready to leave on Christmas Eve, but he can’t find the reindeer anywhere. Dasher is busy dashing, Donner is dozing, and Cupid is crooning. It isn’t until Santa remembers their annual tradition—reading a Christmas story together—that the reindeer are ready. Reindeer merriment abounds in this charming yuletide tale about honoring the celebration of holiday customs with those you love.”

Need some reviews of Santa’s Story?

Kirkus

Publisher’s Weekly

Youth Services Book Review

Educational Activities inspired by Santa’s Story by Will Hillenbrand:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What do you think this book will be about?
    • What type of creatures are following Santa?
    • Why does Santa seem so happy?
    • Where and when does this story seem to take place?
    • What questions would you like to ask the author before you read this book?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • What were the most important events in the story?
    • Which of the reindeer was your favorite? Why?
    • Why didn’t the reindeer come when Santa jingled the bells, blew the all-​call horn, and hollered?
    • If the story had a sequel, what do you think it would be about?
  • Writing–Now that you know Santa’s story, what other holiday people/​creatures do you think would have a similarly interesting story? Select the one that appeals to you most and write–or draw–that story any way you choose. Who’s the main character? What problem are they facing? Why are they telling their story? How will their story turn out? Create that story and see how it goes. Consider sharing it with a friend or family member.
  • Craft–With an adult’s help, try some of the following reindeer-​themed crafts: 
  • Further Reading–Want to read other books about Santa? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)

 

 

 

 

 

Educational Activites: Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey

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Snow Globe Wishes
Author: Erin Dealey
Illustrator: Claire Shorrock
Sleeping Bear Press
15 September 2019
32 pages

The book description from Goodreads: “As the worst snow storm of the year rolls in, one family hunkers down together in a cozy blanket fort for the night. A little girl makes a wish on a snow globe and, in the morning, the sun rises on a winter wonderland–beckoning all outside. And what if, on this snow-​filled day, families shake their busy lives and everyone goes out to play? A lyrical holiday story about wishes and community and snow–lots and lots of snow.”

Need some reviews of Snow Globe Wishes?

Feathered Quill

GoodReads

Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

 

As a bonus, here’s the book trailer for Snow Globe Wishes.

Educational Activities inspired by Snow Globe Wishes by Erin Dealey:

  • Before Reading–From looking at the front and back cover: 
    • What time of year is it?
    • Why does the girl with the snowglobe seem so happy?
    • Where and when does this story appear to take place?
    • The back cover features three lines of text. How do these words prepare you for the story?
  • After Reading–Now that you’ve read the story: 
    • Which of the family’s indoor activities seemed most enjoyable?
    • What are “snow globe wishes”?
    • When everyone listens, what do they hear?
    • Did the story end the way you imagined?
    • Go back and revisit the pictures in this book. Which of them is your favorite? Why?
  • Writing–Have you ever been in a situation where the power has gone out? Write a list of your things you could do with your family to pass the time when you can’t turn on the TV, play video games, or even use the lights! How many can options can you think of?
  • Crafts–With an adult’s help, try some of the following winter-​themed crafts: 
    • DIY Snow Globe–This craft requires an adult’s help for sure, but they’re not THAT hard to make. And wow, do they look good.
    • Easy Snow Globe–Gather the ingredients and make your own snow globe. How cool is that?
    • Ice Ornaments–Cheap, simple, and terrific to look at. These only work if you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures, though. Sorry, Florida and Texas fans!
    • Melted Snowman–This craft has a few more steps than some, but the result is worth it. Loads of fun.
    • Playdough Snowman–The no-​cook dough recipe has a special ingredient to make the whites really stand out. Add glitter to create a frosty sparkle.
    • Three-​dimensional Snowflakes–Simple, pretty, and an inexpensive hit with kids.
  • Further Reading–Want to find some other terrific picture books about snow? (Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)